Birmingham fire attack victim Mohammed Rayaz was ‘looking forward to spending retirement with his grandchildren’

The family of a grandfather who was set on fire as he walked home from a mosque has said he is in “unimaginable pain”, having been robbed of the chance to enjoy his retirement “spending time with his grandchildren”.

Mohammed Rayaz, 70, was targeted in Shenstone Road in Edgbaston, Birmingham, on Monday night.

He was doused in an unknown substance and set alight on his way back from Dudley Road mosque.

A statement from Mr Rayaz’s son, on behalf of the family, said he was retired and wanted to spend his life “by praying and spending time with his grandchildren”.

The attacker “took that away from him and caused him lots of unimaginable pain”.

A friend of Mr Rayaz previously said he had suffered life-changing, “horrific injuries“.

His son said the family “is in a state of shock and trying to understand why someone would do this”.

Suspect charged with two attempted murders

A man has been charged with attempted murder over the attack on Mr Rayaz.

Mohammed Abbkr, 28, appeared in court on Thursday and was remanded in custody until a further hearing at Birmingham Crown Court on 20 April.

He has also been charged with the attempted murder of another pensioner, Hashi Odowa, in a similar fire attack in Ealing, west London, last month.

The 82-year-old man was doused with fluid and set alight after leaving an Islamic Centre on Singapore Road.

He was taken to hospital with severe burns to his face and arms.

Mr Rayaz’s son said his “thoughts are also with the victim and family of the Ealing attack”.

“I hope no one has to go through what our family is going through, as it has torn our family apart,” he added.